Hon Lumengo advised parents to hasten and file in their requests to bring in their children to join them in Switzerland. Addressing members of the African Community at the end of year dinner organised by the Swiss African Forum (SAF) in Berne, the Swiss trained lawyer said the new law on family reunion, that came into force on January 1, 2008, has now imposed a time limit of 5 years within which parents should process their requests and get their children under 12 years to join them. For children above 12 years and up to 18 years old, the time limit is 1 year. Do not even sigh yet; the reference date is January 1, 2008 for parents who have their residence permits before then. This in essence means, applications for parents with children above 12 years old must reach the appropriate offices before January 31, 2009. Those who have their residence permits after January 2008, the reference dates are the dates of their respective residence permits and so their deadline is 1 year from then for children above 12 years … (News, inkl. Ausländergesetz AUG; Weitere Erklärungen).

To create conditions deem necessary for people to take on urgent initiatives, beyond the efforts already made to date, which will do away with bad notion on Africans.

To develop appropriate methodologies for transforming the specific support and promotion of those cultural elements that constitute testimonies and symbols of bicultural convergence, with priority to areas were culture is under direct attack in the context of promotion, education, awareness and entertainment.

To demonstrate a deeper probing into the problem of Africa and its globalisation consequences as it relates to cultures and religions and the noting of dangers, and also of opportunities, which derive from its economic, technological and political context.

To design and pilot a sustainable network for future cultural interactions.

To demonstrate that cultural richness and diversity are important elements in the processes of integration and socio-economic development.